I want to pick up some new gas struts for the bed and for the engine access at the back of the coach. The stock Spring Lift Corp part number is SL 25-30. I see Spring Lift on the Internet but apparently they don't have a web site. Anyone had good luck with another manufacturer for these struts? And maybe a part number?
I bought some for another rig a couple of years ago from an Internet vendor but one failed almost immediately. Thanks.
jor
Gas struts are available from NAPA for one, you need the length and pounds of force required. No idea ab out those part numbers, but take one with you and a educated counter man should be able to help you.
Word to the wise, do not get struts too strong for the rear engine cover, they put a tremendous force on the gate structure, one reason I had mine changed over the newer split door, the split is left to right not vertical. That removed a lot of weight from the engine door cover assy, now everyone that has seen it thinks we all should do that same mod. Ask the guys at MOT, they are in love with it. It is another Rance creation.
Dave
How about to hold up, or assist lifting, the bed.
Jor,
Item # SL-25-30, Gas Spring on Moore Industrial Hardware (http://mooreindhardware.thomasnet.com/item/door-checks-gas-springs/gas-spring/sl-25-30)
PatC, Hi, I would take a sample with me to NAPA or get em from FOT. FOT seems to stock that sort of thing, actually they seem to stock a lot of stuff.
Pat,
Thanks for the reference. The struts on our bed are the same Spring Lift number, 25-30, as the engine cover. I'm going to order all four from that place.
jor
I may be wrong but the gas struts for the bed is a 90# strut and I was told the ones on the engine is 120# or 150#. You might want to verify that with Foretravel parts before you order from some where else and get the wrong strut.
Thanks, Jimmy. I will do that. My rig has the same 25-30 number on the bed and the engine cowling. I wrote Moore Industrial and asked them the pound rating for that number but surprisingly, they came back with 30 pounds. That ain't gonna cut it. I was thinking maybe 150 or so. Anyhow, I'll give FT a call.
jor
The best place I have found to buy Gas springs/struts is; Orr & Orr Hardware and accessories for the Trucking, Mobile Home, Recreational Vehicle, (http://www.Orrorr.com) I have used that source for two different coaches. There main office is in Chicago, IL. and they have a warehouse in Ft Myers, FL. 941.481.7069 They are very helpful when trying to match lift springs....
Your results may vary, but I replaced the bed lift ones with new ones from FT. They still won't hold the bed up. I ended up cutting a stick to the right length and leave it lay under the bed.
Atwood acquired Spring Lift Corporation and still makes the full line of struts. The best price I found was direct from FT. The new struts hold up the bed in my U225 just fine. I got rid of my stick. :)
Steve
Days ago I ordered the SL 25-90 from Moore after researching posts. Besides I didn't think 30# would be adequate since the 20# on the compartment doors have all failed and that bed is heavy. I did order the 20# springs for the compartments though as the mounts seem flimsy at best and I don't want to stress them. The 20# are all on back order. Since we are on this topic, I have replaced two of the compartment lifts previously and learned (here) how to do the install. The bed lifts though are not blade ends but a ball and socket arrangement with two sizes available (hope I bought the right ones) but I don't know how they go on or come off.
Twice now I've shopped around trying to find the right ones and twice I ended up buying them from Foretravel which I felt has competitive prices on them with the bonus that you know your getting the right ones.
Try encore RV supply. encoremotorhomes.com. They deal with 1999 and older fore travels.
A Foretravel owner was almost hurt when the gas struts on his closed bed shot the bed forward against the bedroom wall. So having gas struts so powerful that easily hold up a heavy bed also exert the same force on the bed hinge mounting screws. Another use for "Buyer Beware".
Bed Hinge Repair Modification (http://www.foreforums.com/index.php?topic=11172.msg54557#msg54557)
I get mine from Encore Motorhomes Nac. Texas, nice folks good service. Just replaced 29 gas springs on all the cabinet doors.
Encore didn't have the bed or engine cover but did have the cabinet struts. I ordered a bunch of them. Went with Foretravel for the bed and for the engine compartment.
jor
Can anyone confirm the mount size in mm for the bed lifts on my generation of coach?
Can anyone who has changed out the bed lifts tell me how they come off and go on? The mount is not the same as the blade ends on the compartment lifts. I have new ones coming any day. Thanks.
Dwayne,
Here's a couple of photos from our 93. They just slip over a ball and a clip holds them in place. When you see them you'll figure it out right away.
jor
Thanks. I looked at mine but couldn't detect the clip. Perhaps if I cleaned them first...
If you pop the old strut off and take it to Autozone/O'Rielly, they may have an exact length replacement and most come with a new ball.
Pillow top mattresses overload the struts so if you are handy, you can make a double mount and use two on each side. No room to install side by side so a more difficult piggyback mount would have to be fabricated.
You may need a strong pair of "dollar tree" 3.0 glasses and a bright flashlight to find the little wire clip found on some types so don't feel bad.
Stronger or additional struts can cause problems. They may hold up a heavier mattress, but they will also put additional stress on hinges and the fasteners holding the hinges.
My choice would be to keep a wooden "bed crutch," a.k.a a good stick, handy to hold up the bed if struts of the original size won't hold it. <DISCLAIMER>Your choice and experience may be different.</DISCLAIMER> :)
Hi Dwayne,
If I remember right, my bed struts, probably the same as yours, have a circular wire clip that pops in after you pop the ball onto the socket. That's why you may not see them. Should be a bit of wire sticking out from the ball socket. That's the clip.
Changing them out is a breeze. Less than two minutes.
Steve
Replaced 12 compartment gas struts today and the two on the bed. I had researched the bed struts and ordered the 90# but much to my dismay, they can't even think of holding up that bed. The compartments all function now but I lost one of the C clips and broke another. Anyone have a source for these? I guess I should check with Moore where I bought them. I wish I'd have considered that the 20 year old clips should be replaced too.
Dwayne,
We got ours from Fastenal but have also seen them at our local True Value store.
Pamela & Mike